A Python/Tkinter app for the Medion MD8800 / M18ST05A front-panel VFD.
Control text lines, clock, icon LEDs, and the 9×7 mini-matrix — with built-in fun modes and a playable Snake game. Works on Windows (COM ports) and Linux (/dev/ttyUSB*) via USB-serial (CH340/CP2102/etc) at 9600 8N2.
- Text control: write to line 0/1, soft-clear, CR, marquee, bounce.
- Clock: 12/24-hour, move/stop, show, sync from PC.
- Brightness & icons: HDD/1394/CD/USB/Movie/TV/Music/Photo levels; record; email (white/red); speaker/mute; volume bars; red bars; bounding boxes.
- Mini-matrix (9×7): live pixel editor, presets (play/pause/heart…), per-pixel send.
- Fun modes/macros (per-mode FPS): spinner, twinkle, rain, cylon, icon wave/pulse, icon carousel, clock-bars, stickman run, bouncy ball, Game of Life.
- System meters (optional): net → red bars, disk → HDD icon, RAM → USB icon (via
psutil). - Playable Snake: arrow keys or on-screen D-pad; score on text lines; adjustable speed.
- Dark/Light theme and scrollable UI.
# Python 3.9+ recommended
pip install pyserial psutil # psutil optional (for system meters)python md8800_gui.py- Select your COM port → Connect.
- Use the panels to send text, toggle icons, edit the mini-matrix, or start fun modes.
Snake controls
- Start/Pause/Reset buttons in the Games section
- Arrow keys or on-screen D-pad
- FPS spinner to change game speed
- Device serial: 9600 baud, 8N2 (no parity, two stop bits).
- Starting a mini-matrix mode automatically stops the previous one to avoid collisions.
- Use Custom / RAW to send
ESC <hex>or arbitrary hex bytes for quick testing.
- LCDproc driver:
[MD8800.c](https://github.com/lcdproc/lcdproc/blob/master/server/drivers/MD8800.c)(command set) [spacerace/m18st05](https://github.com/spacerace/m18st05)(early tooling)[yetanothercarbot/medion-vfd](https://github.com/yetanothercarbot/medion-vfd)(examples & inspiration)
Not affiliated with Medion. Use at your own risk.